Africa's Storied Traditions
Friday, January 19, 2007; Page WE34
The ancient and revered art of storytelling simply refuses to die. It defies the increasing digitalization of our lives that insulates us within our individual cocoons, with information and entertainment of our own choosing. But the storyteller gathers us in a communal setting and reaches into our collective subconscious with tales and images that speak of shared histories, regardless of how different our paths and the paths of our ancestors might be. Several African storytelling events at the National Museum of African Art are tapping into this oral tradition with quite modern goals in mind, and the first one is scheduled for Saturday.
"Storytelling is the essence of culture in anyone's culture," says Baba Jamal Koram, the avuncular storyteller in the African griot tradition who will appear at the museum Saturday in a free event. "You have to tell your story. As a cultural guardian, once I've got a hold on a story, I'm holding on to the culture. Once I tell the story, I'm keeping the culture alive."
  Storyteller Diane Macklin will appear at the National Museum of African Art. (By Arianna Ross) |
With Martin Luther King Jr. Day earlier this week and Black History Month in February, many organizations are seeking ways to highlight African culture and history -- to keep it alive, as Koram says. But why would an art museum present storytellers? Perhaps as museums have been adding educating to their traditional task of collecting, they have discovered that storytelling can be a vivid link to the expression, the "language" of objects and illustrations. Much of African art blends visual imagery with spiritual beliefs and social function, making it particularly amenable to be linked to fables and folklore. The Museum of African Art has a diverse collection with objects both ancient and contemporary: ceramics, textiles, furniture, tools, masks, figures and musical instruments.
"The whole point of this is to make the museum a place for young people to feel like they have a place at the museum, where it's interesting to them, and to create a generation of people who will use the museum and use it as a resource to understand their world," said Diane Macklin, a storyteller whose appearances in February will also feature treasure hunts and other activities. Both Koram and Macklin have teaching degrees and see their mission as education, a chance to inspire children.
Koram, a father of six, makes sure kids are paying attention by asking questions and having them repeat key phrases. "If there's no listening, there's no telling," he said. With his colorful African robes and ever-present jembe drum and mbira (thumb piano), Koram strives to embody folkloric songs and stories. He and Macklin embrace the griotic traditions of African storytelling, using song, dance and interaction with the audience to weave their spells over young audiences, engaging their imaginations. And both say the value of their work extends beyond African American audiences.
"Interwoven in those stories are the values of the people," Koram said. "So we talk about character, we talk about values and morals. You have to have clarity in knowing what's right and wrong, and a sense of love and hope and happiness, the things that might not reach these young people through other media."
Macklin incorporates percussive instruments into her storytelling, particularly a shekere gourd drum. With her animated face and hand gestures, Macklin's approach to entertaining audiences is dynamic. Laughter comes easily to her as she engages children and parents alike.
"If you're clapping and you're singing and chanting, we're in it together. It's not about me performing, it's about us being together," she said. After her storytelling sessions, the audiences will be sent on a "treasure hunt" in the museum's gallery, accompanied by docents and educators and referring to a map and learning guide prepared for the occasion. The activity is part of Smithsonian's Discovery Theater "Meet the Museum" program.
Macklin likes to say she left the formal classroom "in order to teach. The most traditional way to do that is through storytelling. And not just as entertainment, but as an art form that reaches everybody at some level. It doesn't matter where you come from in the world, who your ancestors are. Every single human being starts out with a story."
THE STORY MAN Saturday at 2. Lecture Hall, National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW (Metro: Smithsonian). 202-633-1000.http:/
TREASURES FROM GRANDMOTHER AFRICA Feb. 8 and 9 at 10:15, 11, 11:45 and 12:30; and Feb. 10 at 11 and 11:45 . Lecture Hall, National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW (Metro: Smithsonian). 202-633-1000.http:/
